Ana Nobre is the Lab Manager at ACT Lab. She oversees lab and project management, mentors students, and supports dissemination and outreach activities. Ana holds a PhD in Biochemistry (Microbiology specialization) from the University of Coimbra and has extensive experience in microbial and plant molecular biology, proteomics, and biotechnological applications. She is also a FELASA-accredited Category A, B, and D Specialist and actively promotes sustainable lab practices as a GreenKeeper at GreenLabs CiBB.

Cláudia Deus is an Assistant Researcher at ACT Lab, with expertise in Mitochondrial Biology and Age-related Neurodegenerative Diseases. She completed her PhD in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine at the University of Coimbra and leads projects on mitochondrial health and regenerative medicine.​​

​

​

​

Cristina Blanco holds a PhD in Biomedicine from the University of Granada, Spain, with expertise in Tissue Engineering. Her research has focused on prevascularization of artificial oral mucosa substitutes and regenerative biomaterials. She joined ACT Lab to continue her research career in aging and regenerative therapies.​

​

​

​

​

​

Hugo Fernandes is a Principal Investigator at the Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing (MIA-UC) and leads an independent research group, Advanced Cell Technology (ACT), focused on molecular bioengineering and regenerative medicine. He completed his PhD at the University of Twente, following training in stem cell biology and biomaterials-driven tissue engineering. His research integrates high-throughput screening, microRNA biology, and the engineering of extracellular vesicles to uncover mechanisms of stem cell ageing and to develop innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating or reversing age-related cellular decline.​​​​

Jéssica Simão is a Master’s student at ACT Lab. She will investigate the impact of human senescent cells on skin wound healing using ex vivo models. Her project will also examine the regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived secretome. Senescence will be induced in skin-derived cells (fibroblasts and epithelial cells), which will then be characterized to assess their effects on wound healing. Additionally, MSC-derived secretome will be collected and analyzed to evaluate its bioactivity and role in enhancing tissue regeneration.​​

​

​

Joana Monteiro is a research grant holder at the ACT Lab. She holds a PhD in Biosciences from the University of Coimbra. Her doctoral training focused on molecular biology techniques and their application to the study of host–pathogen interactions.

She is currently involved in the LIGHTCURE project (Reference 101080327), focused on the development of a novel diagnostic test for Congenital Hyperinsulinism.

 ​​​

​

​

​

​

Sandra is a Junior Researcher at the ACT group, with expertise in experimental biomedicine, epigenetics, and translational research. She completed her PhD in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine at the University of Coimbra. Her research focuses on metabolic diseases, particularly diabetes and obesity, including the modulation of extracellular vesicles for therapeutic applications. She has extensive experience in high-throughput screening, leukemia research, and advanced cell and molecular biology techniques, with publications in several international peer-reviewed journals.